Transition/Early
Stage
Stages of progress in English:
Sentence construction
Writing
Text structure
Content and style
Spelling/handwriting
Some appropriate ideas and content Correct spelling of :
included.
Some common grammatical
function words.
Some attempt to elaborate on basic Common
content/lexical
information or events, e.g. nouns words with more than one
expanded by simple adjectives.
morpheme,
including
compound words.
Attempt to adopt viewpoint, though
often not maintained or inconsistent, Likely errors:
e.g. attitude expressed, but with little Some inflected endings, e.g.
elaboration.
past tense, comparatives,
adverbs.
Purpose established at a general level. Some phonetically plausible
attempts at content/ lexical
Main features of selected form words.
sometimes signalled to the reader.
Legible
style,
shows
Some attempts at appropriate style, accurate and consistent
letter formation, sometimes
Movement between paragraphs / with attention to reader.
joined.
sections
sometimes
abrupt
or
Simple,
generally
appropriate
disjointed.
vocabulary used, but limited in range.
Reliance mainly on simply structured Some attempt to organise ideas with
sentences, variation with support
related points placed next to each
other.
Some limited variation in use of tense
and verb forms, not always secure.
Openings and closings usually
signalled.
Straightforward sentences usually
demarcated accurately with full stops, Some attempt to sequence ideas or
capital
letters,
question
and material logically.
exclamation marks.
Some internal structure within sections
Some, limited, use of speech of text e.g. one-sentence paragraphs
punctuation.
or ideas loosely organised within
paragraphs / sections.
Comma splicing evident, particularly
in narrative.
Some links between sentences, e.g.
use of pronouns or of adverbials.
Some words selected for effect or
occasion.
Stage
Sentence construction
Some variety in length, structure or
subject of sentences.
Foundation
Use
of
some
subordinating
connectives, e.g. if, when, because
throughout the text.
Some variation, generally accurate,
in tense and verb forms.
Sentences demarcated accurately
throughout the text, including
question marks.
Speech marks to denote speech
generally accurate, with some other
speech punctuation.
Commas
used
in
lists
and
occasionally to mark clauses,
although not always accurately.
Text structure
Content and style
Material is structured clearly, with Relevant ideas and content chosen.
sentences organised into appropriate
paragraphs.
Some ideas and material developed in
detail.
Development of material is effectively
managed across text, e.g. closings Straightforward viewpoint generally
refer back to openings.
established and maintained, e.g.
writing in role or maintaining a
Overall direction of the text supported consistent stance
by clear links between paragraphs.
Main purpose of writing is clear but not
Paragraphs clearly structure main always consistently maintained.
ideas across text to support purpose,
e.g. clear chronological or logical links Main features of selected form are
between paragraphs.
clear and appropriate to purpose.
Spelling
Correct spelling of :
most common grammatical
function words, including
adverbs with -ly formation.
Regularly
formed
content/lexical
words,
including those with multiple
morphemes.
Most past and present tense
inflections, plurals.
Likely errors:
homophones
of
some
common
grammatical
function words.
occasional
phonetically
Within paragraphs / sections, a range Style generally appropriate to task, plausible
spelling
in
of devices support cohesion, e.g. though awareness of reader not content/lexical words.
secure use of pronouns, connectives, always sustained.
references back to text.
Some
evidence
of
deliberate
Links between paragraphs / sections vocabulary choices.
generally maintained across whole
text.
Some expansion of general vocabulary
to match topic.
Stage
Sentence construction
Secure
Developing
Features of the above shown in a
variety of writing. In some writing,
features in the “secure” category are
in evidence.
Text structure
Features of the above shown in a
variety of writing. In some writing,
features in the “secure” category are in
evidence.
Content and style
Spelling
Features of the above shown in a
variety of writing. In some writing,
features in the “secure” category are in
evidence.
Features of the above
shown in a variety of writing.
In some writing, features in
the “secure” category are in
evidence.
Variety
of
sentence
lengths, Material is structured clearly, with Relevant ideas and material developed
structures and subjects provides sentences organised into appropriate with some imaginative detail.
clarity and emphasis.
paragraphs.
Development of ideas and material
Wider range of connectives used to Development of material is effectively appropriately shaped for selected
clarify relationship between ideas.
managed across text, e.g. closings form.
refer back to openings.
Some features of sentence structure
Clear viewpoint established, generally
used to build up detail or convey
Overall direction of the text supported consistent, with some elaboration.
shades of meaning.
by clear links between paragraphs.
Features of selected form clearly
Full range of punctuation used
accurately to demarcate sentences, Paragraphs clearly structure main established with some adaptation to
ideas across text to support purpose, purpose.
including speech punctuation.
Syntax and punctuation within the e.g. clear chronological or logical links
Appropriate style clearly established
sentence
generally
accurate between paragraphs.
to
maintain
reader’s
interest
including commas to mark clauses,
though some errors occur where Within paragraphs / sections, a range throughout.
of devices support cohesion. e.g.
ambitious structures are attempted.
secure use of pronouns, connectives, Vocabulary chosen for effect
references back to text.
Reasonably wide vocabulary used,
Links between paragraphs / sections though not always appropriately.
generally maintained across whole
text.
Correct spelling of :
grammatical function words.
almost all inflected words
most derivational suffixes
and prefixes.
most content/lexical words.
Likely errors:
occasional
phonetically
plausible spelling of
unstressed
syllables
in
content words.
double
consonants
in
prefixes.
Stage
Sentence construction
Expert
Confident
Established
Controlled use of a variety of simple
and complex sentences to achieve
purpose and contribute to overall
effect.
Text structure
Content and style
Spelling
Material is clearly controlled and
sequenced, taking account of the
reader’s
likely
reaction,
e.g.
paragraphs of differing lengths, use of
flashback in narrative, anticipating
reader’s questions.
Imaginative treatment of appropriate
materials, familiarity with conventions
of a variety of forms, adapting them
when needed to suit purpose and
audience, not always successfully.
Generally appropriate
purpose and audience.
Variety of sentence types deployed Information, ideas and events skilfully
appropriately across the text to managed and shaped to achieve
achieve purpose and overall effect, intended purpose and effect.
with rare loss of control.
A variety of devices position the reader.
A range of features employed to
shape/craft sentences that have Paragraphing across the text is integral
individual merit and contribute to to meaning and purpose.
overall development of the text.
Individual paragraphs shaped or
crafted for imaginative or rhetorical
effect.
Imaginative and generally successful
adaptation of wide range of forms and
conventions to suit variety of purposes
and audiences.
Vocabulary consistently,
often imaginatively, well
matched to purpose and
audience.
Confident use of a range of sentence
features to clarify or emphasise
meaning.
Syntax and full range of punctuation
are consistently accurate in a variety
of sentence structures, with
occasional errors in ambitious
structures.
Sentence structure is imaginative,
precise and accurate, matched to
writer’s purpose and intended effect
on the reader.
to
Range of vocabulary
generally varied and
often ambitious, even
Convincing, individual voice or point of though choices not
A range of features clearly signal view established and mostly sustained always apt.
overall direction of the text for the Throughout.
reader.
Generally correct spelling
Level of formality used for purpose and throughout,
including
Construction of paragraphs clearly
audience generally appropriate and a ambitious,
uncommon
supports meaning and purpose.
range of stylistic devices used to words.
achieve
effect,
not
always
Within paragraphs, cohesive devices
successfully.
Likely errors occasionally in
contribute to emphasis and effect.
complex words.
Imaginative, well controlled structuring
of subject matter and management of
paragraphing
provide
textual
coherence and cohesion to position the
reader appropriately in relation to the
writer’s purpose.
Well judged, distinctive individual voice Range of vocabulary
or point of view established and
generally varied and
sustained throughout.
ambitious, often
appropriately chosen.
Generally successful and consistent
control of appropriate level of formality Correct spelling throughout.
to achieve intended effect.
Creative selection and adaptation of a
wide range of forms and conventions
to meet varied writing challenges with
distinctive personal voice and style
matched to intended effect.
Wide-ranging vocabulary
used imaginatively and
with precision across a
range of writing.
Correct spelling throughout.